Easy Guide to Recover Deleted Text Messages from Android

Tutorial 1: Restore SMS from Android with Android SMS Recovery

Here we go, you can free download Android SMS Recovery on your computer to start the free trial version first.

Step 1. Connect Android to Computer Using USB Cable

Download and install Android SMS Recovery. Connect your phone with a USB cable. Make sure your phone is left with over 20% power before you connect the phone and the computer.

Note: For the detail operation to enable USB debugging, you can check your phone model firstly. Just choose the compatible one according to your operating system.

Step 2. Choose Text to Scan

After enabling USB debugging, you are allowed to choose the data type and scan. As the below windows shows, click "Messages" and "Messages Attachment", if you have MMS on your Android and want the attachment in your SMS restored. And then click "Next" to allow the program to scan your Android for deleted text messages.

Step 3. Access SMS Permission

To go on scanning, it is in need to install FonePaw app on your device and let it access your message permission. If you only tend to recover deleted text messages, you are able to only allow SMS permission.

Step 4. Scan Your Android in Standard Mode

The program will detect your device. If your phone is unrooted, it will be scanned in normal mode. (If the device is rooted, the software will go into deep scanning directly.) You can find what you need after previewing. If you cannot get what you need, click Deep Scan to find more deleted items.

Step 5. Deep Scan for More Deleted Files

Now, you've come to the last but important step. All your deleted text messages will be listed in categories. The deleted SMS will be in red color. You can look at and read the messages as well as choose whatever you want to  restore with the "Recover" button on the lower right. Within several seconds, your SMS will be retrieved and saved on your computer.

Note: You can restore your deleted Android text messages with ease by following the steps above. Besides extracting SMS, Android SMS Recovery also allows you to recover deleted contacts from Android, call logs as well. As for recvoering files from broken Android or locked Android, you can try Broken Android Data Extraction feature to fix.

Tutorial 2: Make Sure That Your Messages Will Never Lose Again

Though we have methods to undelete text messages, it is still risky without a backup file. Three types of tools will be recommended here for your choices.

Solution 1: SMS Backup & Restore without Computer and Root

You can get SMS Backup & Restore by clicking on the link. With no doubt, it is one of the best, which works fast and displays its features in a straightforward manner. Everything you need, the buttons of "Backup" and "Restore" are all in the home screen.

Step 1. Click on the Backup Button

When you use the feature, there will be a pop-up asking you to confirm the file name for this copy. Change it if you want, otherwise, simply press "OK"

Step 2. View the Details

You can then use the button "View" and pick one of the files, see if there is anything wrong with it. If not, your text messages are then secured.

Solution 2: SMS Backup +

As for SMS Backup +, it has some unique feature, which is automatically backing up SMS, MMS and call logs to Gmail. It’s a good concept, but as some users have said, the app fails to meet their needs because sometimes new entries cannot trigger automatic backup and MMS messages cannot restore.

Still, it is proved useful by many people, and the operation is quite simply except that it only allows online backup. So, the process will not be described here. But if you have some problems, please leave a comment.

Solution 3: Android Manager

Android Manager is a great program which can save all you data including messages. When a phone is plugged in, you will be noticed to perform a backup if this hasn’t been done for a while. Also, messages can be sent with it on computer.

Step 1. Connect Your Phone to Computer

When the device is plugged in, drivers will be installed. And then you can see this interface, which shows the features and your phone. On the left side, file types are listed. Choose "SMS".

Step 2. Pick Messages to Export

Tick the ones you need to save and use the button "Export". This is also an advantage that apps don’t have. Besides, dialogues are displayed on the right side, with a box for you to input and send text.

Bonus Tips: Retrieve Messages from Carriers for Legal Purpose

Many carriers are actually having a data retention for a certain period, which would store users' information like call logs, text messages, IP session, bill copies, payment history and so on. However, it's related to policies for the purpose of collecting evidences for crime or terrorism, so it stays safe and remains confidential only most of the time. Below you can check out the retention periods of major cellular providers (T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, Nextel and Virgin Mobile).

In terms of text messages, it divided into 2 parts, say 'Text message detail' and 'Text messages content'. Different carriers supports a retention of different periods. If you want to retrieve text messages in this way, you might have to directly contact your carrier. However, I think it must be a hard time to deal with your carrier. Only by having a legal reason can you get lost text messages from your carrier. As far as I'm concerned, it seems a lot difficult for a normal citizen.